1. A Handbook on Labour Laws of India
Rajkumar S. Adukia
B.Com (Hons.), LL.B, AICWA, FCA
rajkumarfca@gmail.com / radukia@vsnl.com
http://www.carajkumarradukia.com
093230 61049 / 093221 39642

2. PREFACE
“To secure to each labourer the whole product of his labour, or as nearly as possible, is a
worthy object of any good Government” said Abraham Lincoln.
Industrialisation poses a challenge for an entrepreneur in the form of management of the
resources. The management and effective and efficient deployment of the resources of the
organisation is the factor which decides the profitability and viability of any organisation .Labour is
one of the basic resources of any industry and has an important bearing on the performance and
goals of the organisation. In India we have a plethora of Laws which deals with issues concerning
Labour administration, labour welfare, regulation of industrial relations between the management
and the workers. For the effective and efficient management of labour in an industry or an
organisation it is necessary to have a complete knowledge of the Laws, bye laws, regulations and
ordinances applicable to the industry in general and to the company or organisation specifically.
The laws and bye laws applicable to labour issues and interests provides for various compliances
in accordance with procedures laid therein. This book provides a brief insight into the Laws, bye
laws, Regulations, notifications applicable to labour and labour issues.
The salient features of the Central Labour Acts in force in India are given here under: The Indian
Factories Act of 1948 provides for the health, safety and welfare of the workers. The Shops and
Commercial Establishment Act regulates the conditions of work and terms of employment of
workers engaged in shops, commercial establishments, theatres, restaurants, etc. The Maternity
Benefit Act provides for the grant of cash benefits to women workers for specified periods before
and after confinements. The Employment of Children Act, 1938, prohibits the employment of
young children below the age of 15 years in certain risky and unhealthy occupations. The
payment of wages Act, 1936, regulates the timely payment of wages without any unauthorized
deductions by the employers. The Minimum Wages Act, 1948, ensures the fixation and revision
of minimum rates of wages in respect of certain scheduled industries involving hard labour. The
Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, provides for the investigation, and settlement of industrial disputes
by mediation, conciliation, adjudication and arbitration, there is scope for payment of
compensation in cases of lay-off and retrenchment. The Industrial Employment (Standing
Orders) Act, 1946, requires employers in Industrial establishments to define precisely the
conditions of employment under them and make them known to their workmen. These rules,
once certified, are binging on the parties for a minimum period of six months. The Workmen’s
Compensation Act, 1923, provides for compensation to injured workmen of certain categories and
in the case of fatal accidents to their dependants if the accidents arose out of and in the course of
their employment. It also provides for payment of compensation in the case of certain
occupational diseases. The Indian Trade Unions Act, 1926, recognizes the right of workers to

3. organise into trade unions, and when registered, they have certain rights and obligations and
function as autonomous bodies. The Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948, provides for
sickness benefit, maternity benefit, disablement benefit and medical benefit. The Employees’
Provident Fund Act, 1952, seeks to make a provision for the future of industrial worker after he
retires or in case he is retrenched, or for his dependents in case of his early death.
The labour welfare work, thus, covers a wide range of activities and in its present form is widely
recognised and is regarded as an integral part of the industrial system and management.
This book retains my original three aims: (i) to provide a clear and precise explanation of the
meaning of a particular word or phrase; (ii) to help the employer as well as the employee find
answers to many of the questions that might crop up during a dispute or problem; (iii) to identify
where a problem might occur upon which, when required, further advice and counsel should be
sought.
I shall appreciate further questions from our readers and all concerned on various issues so that
they can be included in our future edition or replied through email rajkumarfca@gmail.com.
We will appreciate if our readers can give suggestions and criticism and call our attention to
errors which might have inadvertently crept in. Alternatively, the readers can also post their
queries at http://www.carajkumarradukia.com. I would be glad to receive your queries or
suggestions. Those who are Interested in getting similar technical material on a regular basis can
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part 1
Introduction
1.1 What is Labour Law?
1.2 Classification of Various Labour Laws
1.3 Labour Jurisdiction- State vs Central
1.4 Labour Policy of India
Part 2
Central Labour Laws
2.1 The Factories Act, 1948
2.2 Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986

4. 2.3 Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976
2.4 The Employment Exchanges (Compulsory Notification of Vacancies) Act, 1959
2.5 Apprentices Act, 1961
2.6 Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952
2.7 The Employees State Insurance Act (ESI Act), 1948
2.8 Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972
2.9 Payment of Bonus Act, 1965
2.10 Payment of Wages Act, 1936
Part 3
Labour Law Concessions
3.1 Labour Laws and SSI
3.2 Labour Laws and SEZ
Part 4
Which court to approach in case of a labour dispute?
4.1 Judicial System in India
4.2 Where to file?
4.3 What matters fall within the jurisdiction of Industrial Tribunals?
4.4 What matters fall within the Jurisdiction of Labour Courts?
4.5 Stages of adjudication in labour or industrial disputes
4.6 Mediation in Labour Disputes
Part 5
5.1 Address of Labour Commissioners
5.2 About the Author
Part 1
Introduction
1.1 What is Labour Law?
Wikipedia, the internet encyclopedia defines labour law as “Labour Law is the body of laws,
administrative rulings, and precedents which address the relationship between and among
employers, employees, and labor organizations, often dealing with issues of public law”. The
terms Labour Laws and Employment Laws, are often interchanged in the usage. This has led to a
big confusion as to their meanings. Labour Laws are different from employment laws which deal

5. only with employment contracts and issues regarding employment and workplace discrimination
and other private law issues.
Employment Laws cover broader area than labour laws in the sense that employment laws cover
all the areas of employer/employee relationship except the negotiation process covered by labour
law and collective bargaining.
Labour Laws harmonize many angles of the relationship between trade unions, employers and
employees. In some countries (like Canada), employment laws related to unionised workplaces
are different from those relating to particular individuals. In most countries however, no such
distinction is made.
The final goal of labour law is to bring both the employer and the employee on the same level,
thereby mitigating the differences between the two ever-warring groups.
Origins of Labour Laws
Labour laws emerged when the employers tried to restrict the powers of workers' organisations
and keep labour costs low. The workers began demanding better conditions and the right to
organise so as to improve their standard of living. Employer’s costs increased due to workers
demand to win higher wages or better working conditions. This led to a chaotic situation which
required the intervention of Government. In order to put an end to the disputes between the ever-
warring employer and employee, the Government enacted many labour laws.
In India the labour laws are so numerous, complex and ambiguous that they promote litigation
rather than the resolution of problems relating to industrial relations. The labour movement has
contributed a lot for the enactment of laws protecting labour rights in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The history of labour legislation in India can be traced back to the history of British colonialism.
The influences of British political economy were naturally dominant in sketching some of these
early laws. In the beginning it was difficult to get enough regular Indian workers to run British
establishments and hence laws for chartering workers became necessary. This was obviously
labour legislation in order to protect the interests of British employers.
The British enacted the Factories Act with a really self-centered motive. It is well known that
Indian textile goods offered serious competition to British textiles in the export market. In order to
make India labour costlier, the Factories Act was first introduced in 1883 because of the pressure
brought on the British parliament by the textile moguls of Manchester and Lancashire. Thus we
received the first stipulation of eight hours of work, the abolition of child labour, and the restriction

6. of women in night employment, and the introduction of overtime wages for work beyond eight
hours. While the impact of this measure was clearly for the welfare of the labour force the real
motivation was undoubtedly the protection their vested interests.
India provides for core labour standards of ILO for welfare of workers and to protect their
interests. India has a number of labour laws addressing various issues such as resolution of
industrial disputes, working conditions, labour compensation, insurance, child labour, equal
remuneration etc. Labour is a subject in the concurrent list of the Indian Constitution and is
therefore in the jurisdiction of both central and state governments. Both central and state
governments have enacted laws on labour issues. Central laws grant powers to officers under
central government in some cases and to the officers of the state governments in some cases.
1.2 Classification of Various Labour Laws
There are over 45 legislations on labour from the Central Government and the number of
legislations enacted by the State Governments is close to four times that of the Central Acts.
Labour Laws can be classified into the following eight categories:
(i) Laws related to Industrial Relations
(ii) Laws related to Wages
(iii) Laws related to Specific Industries
(iv) Laws related to Equality and Empowerment of Women
(v) Laws related to Deprived and Disadvantaged Sections of the Society
(vi) Laws related to Social Security
(vii) Laws related to Employment & Training
(viii) Others
Laws related to Industrial Relations
1 The Trade Unions Act, 1926
2 The Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946
The Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Rules, 1946
3 The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947
Laws related to Wages
1 The Payment of Wages Act, 1936
The Payment of Wages Rules, 1937
2 The Minimum Wages Act, 1948

7. The Minimum Wages (Central) Rules, 1950
3 The Working Journalist (Fixation of Rates of Wages) Act, 1958
Working Journalist (Conditions of service) and Miscellaneous Provisions Rules, 1957
4 The Payment of Bonus Act, 1965
The Payment of Bonus Rules, 1975
Laws related to Specific Industries
1 The Factories Act, 1948
2 The Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) Act, 1948
3 The Plantation Labour Act, 1951
4 The Mines Act, 1952
5 The Working Journalists and other Newspaper Employees’ (Conditions of Service and
Misc. Provisions) Act, 1955
The Working Journalists and other Newspaper Employees’ (Conditions of
Service and Misc. Provisions) Rules, 1957
6 The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958
7 The Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961
8 The Beedi & Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment) Act, 1966
9 The Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970
10 The Sales Promotion Employees (Conditions of Service) Act, 1976
The Sales Promotion Employees (Conditions of Service) Rules, 1976
11 The Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service)
Act, 1979
12 The Shops and Establishments Act
13 The Cinema Workers and Cinema Theatre Workers (Regulation of Employment) Act,
1981
The Cinema Workers and Cinema Theatre Workers (Regulation of Employment) Rules,
1984
The Cine Workers’ Welfare Fund Act, 1981.
14 The Dock Workers (Safety, Health & Welfare) Act, 1986
15 The Building & Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment & Conditions of
Service) Act, 1996
16 The Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) (inapplicability to Major Ports) Act, 1997
17 The Mica Mines Labour Welfare Fund Act, 1946
18 The Limestone & Dolomite Mines Labour Welfare Fund Act, 1972
19 The Beedi Workers Welfare Fund Act, 1976
20 The Beedi Workers Welfare Cess Act, 1976

8. 21 The Iron Ore Mines, Manganese Ore Mines & Chrome Ore Mines Labour Welfare Fund
Act, 1976
22 The Iron Ore Mines, Manganese Ore Mines & Chrome Ore Mines Labour Welfare Cess
Act, 1976
23 The Cine Workers Welfare Fund Act, 1981
24 The Cine Workers Welfare Cess Act, 1981
25 The Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry latrines Prohibition Act,
1993
26 The Coal Mines (Conservation and Development) Act, 1974
Laws related to Equality and Empowerment of Women
1 The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961
2 The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976
Laws related to Deprived and Disadvantaged Sections of the Society
1 The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976
2 The Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986
Laws related to Social Security
1 The Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923
2 The Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948
3 The Employees’ Provident Fund & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952
4 The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972
Laws related to Employment & Training
1 The Employment Exchanges (Compulsory Notification of Vacancies) Act, 1959
The Employment Exchanges (Compulsory Notification of Vacancies) Rules, 1959
2 The Apprentices Act, 1961
Others
1 The Fatal Accidents Act, 1855
2 The War Injuries Ordinance Act, 1943
3 The Weekly Holiday Act, 1942
4 The National and Festival Holidays Act
5 The War Injuries (Compensation Insurance) Act, 1943
6 The Personal Injuries (Emergency) Provisions Act, 1962
7 The Personal Injuries (Compensation Insurance) Act, 1963

9. 8 The Labour Laws (Exemption from Furnishing Returns and Maintaining Register by
Certain Establishments) Act, 1988
9 The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991
1.3 Labour Jurisdiction-State vs Central
Under the Constitution of India, Labour is a subject in the Concurrent List where both the
Central & State Governments are competent to enact legislation subject to certain matters
being reserved for the Centre.
Constitutional Status
Union List Concurrent List
Entry No. 55 : Regulation of labour and safety in Entry No. 22: Trade Unions; industrial and labour
mines and oil fields disputes.
Entry No. 61: Industrial disputes concerning Entry No.23: Social Security and insurance,
Union employees employment and unemployment.
Entry No.65: Union agencies and institutions for Entry No. 24: Welfare of about including
"Vocational ...training..." conditions of work, provident funds, employers
'invalidity and old age pension and maternity
benefit.
Matters relating to Social Security are Directive Principles of State Policy and the subjects in the
Concurrent List. The following social security issues are mentioned in the Concurrent List (List III
in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India) –
Item No. 23: Social Security and insurance, employment and unemployment.
Item No. 24: Welfare of Labour including conditions of work, provident funds, employers’ liability,
workmen’s compensation, invalidity and old age pension and maternity benefits.
Part III Fundamental Rights
Article16. Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment.-
(1) There shall be equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters relating to employment or
appointment to any office under the State.

10. (2) No citizen shall, on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth,
residence or any of them, be ineligible for, or discriminated against in respect of, any employment
or office under the State.
(3) Nothing in this article shall prevent Parliament from making any law prescribing, in regard to a
class or classes of employment or appointment to an office under the Government of, or any local
or other authority within, a State or Union territory, any requirement as to residence within that
State or Union territory] prior to such employment or appointment.
(4A) Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from making any provision for reservation in
matters of promotion to any class or classes of posts in the services under the State in favour of
the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes which, in the opinion of the State, are not
adequately represented in the services under the State.
(4B) Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from considering any unfilled vacancies of a
year which are reserved for being filled up in that year in accordance with any provision for
reservation made under clause (4) or clause (4A) as a separate class of vacancies to be filled up
in any succeeding year or years and such class of vacancies shall not be considered together
with the vacancies of the year in which they are being filled up for determining the ceiling of fifty
per cent reservation on total number of vacancies of that year.
(5) Nothing in this article shall affect the operation of any law which provides that the incumbent
of an office in connection with the affairs of any religious or denominational institution or any
member of the governing body thereof shall be a person professing a particular religion or
belonging to a particular denomination.
Article24. Prohibition of employment of children in factories, etc. —No child below the age
of fourteen years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or engaged in any other
hazardous employment.
Part IV Directive Principles of State Policy
Article 41 Right to work, to education and to public assistance in certain cases
The State shall, within the limits of its economic capacity and development, make effective
provision for securing the right to work, to education and to public assistance in cases of
unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement, and in other cases of undeserved want.

11. Article 42 Provision for just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief
The State shall make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity
relief.
Article43. Living wage, etc., for workers.—The State shall endeavour to secure, by suitable
legislation or economic organisation or in any other way, to all workers, agricultural, industrial or
otherwise, work, a living wage, conditions of work ensuring a decent standard of life and full
enjoyment of leisure and social and cultural opportunities and, in particular, the State shall
endeavour to promote cottage industries on an individual or co-operative basis in rural areas.
Article43A. Participation of workers in management of industries.—The State shall take
steps, by suitable legislation or in any other way, to secure the participation of workers in the
management of undertakings, establishments or other organisations engaged in any industry.
1.4 Labour Policy of India
Labour policy in India has been evolving in response to specific needs of the situation to suit
requirements of planned economic development and social justice and has two-fold objectives,
viz., maintaining industrial peace and promoting the welfare of labour.
Labour Policy Highlights
 Creative measures to attract public and private investment.
 Creating new jobs
 New Social security schemes for workers in the unorganised sector.
 Social security cards for workers.
 Unified and beneficial management of funds of Welfare Boards.
 Reprioritization of allocation of funds to benefit vulnerable workers.
 Model employee-employer relationships.
 Long term settlements based on productivity.
 Vital industries and establishments declared as `public utilities`.

12.  Special conciliation mechanism for projects with investments of Rs.150 crores or more.
 Industrial Relations committees in more sectors.
 Labour Law reforms in tune with the times. Empowered body of experts to suggest
required changes.
 Statutory amendments for expediting and streamlining the mechanism of Labour
Judiciary.
 Amendments to Industrial Disputes Act in tune with the times.
 Efficient functioning of Labour Department.
 More labour sectors under Minimum Wages Act.
 Child labour act to be aggressively enforced.
 Modern medical facilities for workers.
 Rehabilitation packages for displaced workers.
 Restructuring in functioning of employment exchanges. Computerization and updating of
data base.
 Revamping of curriculum and course content in industrial training.
 Joint cell of labour department and industries department to study changes in laws and
rules.
The Factories Act, 1948
Objectives
1. To ensure adequate safety measures and to promote the health and welfare of the
workers employed in factories.
2. To prevent haphazard growth of factories through the provisions related to the approval
of plans before the creation of a factory.
Applicability of the Act
1. Applicable to the whole of India including Jammu & Kashmir.

13. 2. Covers all manufacturing processes and establishments falling within the definition of
‘factory’.
3. Applicable to all factories using power and employing 10 or more workers, and if not
using power, employing 20 or more workers on any day of the preceding 12 months.
Scheme of the Act
1. The Act consists of 120 Sections and 3 Schedules.
2. Schedule 1 contains list of industries involving hazardous processes
3. Schedule 2 is about permissible level of certain chemical substances in work
environment.
4. Schedule 3 consists of list of notifiable diseases.
Important provisions the Act
Facilities and Conveniences - The factory should be kept clean. [Section 11]. There should be
arrangement to dispose of wastes and effluents. [Section 12]. Ventilation should be adequate.
Reasonable temperature for comfort of employees should be maintained. [Section 13]. Dust and
fumes should be controlled below permissible limits. [Section 14]. Artificial humidification should
be at prescribed standard level. [Section 15]. Overcrowding should be avoided. [Section 16].
Adequate lighting, drinking water, latrines, urinals and spittoons should be provided. [Sections 17
to 19]. Adequate spittoons should be provided. [Section 20].
Welfare - Adequate facilities for washing, sitting, storing cloths when not worn during working
hours. [Section 42]. If a worker has to work in standing position, sitting arrangement to take short
rests should be provided. [Section 44]. Adequate First aid boxes shall be provided and
maintained [Section 45].
Facilities in case of large factories - Following facilities are required to be provided by large
factories - * Ambulance room if 500 or more workers are employed * Canteen if 250 or more
workers are employed. It should be sufficiently lighted and ventilated and suitably located.
[Section 46]. * Rest rooms / shelters with drinking water when 150 or more workmen are
employed [Section 47] * Crèches if 30 or more women workers are employed. [Section 48] * Full
time Welfare Officer if factory employs 500 or more workers [Section 49] * Safety Officer if 1,000
or more workmen are employed.
Safety - All machinery should be properly fenced to protect workers when machinery is in motion.
[Section 21 to 27]. Hoists and lifts should be in good condition and tested periodically. [Section 28
and 29]. Pressure plants should be checked as per rules. [Section 31]. Floor, stairs and means of

14. access should be of sound construction and free form obstructions. [Section 32]. Safety
appliances for eyes, dangerous dusts, gas, fumes should be provided. [Sections 35 and 36].
Worker is also under obligation to use the safety appliances. He should not misuse any
appliance, convenience or other things provided. [Section 111]. In case of hazardous substances,
additional safety measures have been prescribed. [Sections 41A to 41H]. - - Adequate fire
fighting equipment should be available. [Section 38]. - - Safety Officer should be appointed if
number of workers in factory are 1,000 or more. [Section 40B].
Working Hours - A worker cannot be employed for more than 48 hours in a week. [Section 51].
Weekly holiday is compulsory. If he is asked to work on weekly holiday, he should have full
holiday on one of three days immediately or after the normal day of holiday. [Section 52(1)]. He
cannot be employed for more than 9 hours in a day. [Section 54]. At least half an hour rest should
be provided after 5 hours. [Section 55]. Total period of work inclusive of rest interval cannot be
more than 10.5 hours. [Section 56]. A worker should be given a weekly holiday. Overlapping of
shifts is not permitted. [Section 58]. Notice of period of work should be displayed. [Section 61].
Overtime Wages - If a worker works beyond 9 hours a day or 48 hours a week, overtime wages
are double the rate of wages are payable. [Section 59(1)]. A workman cannot work in two
factories. There is restriction on double employment. [Section 60]. However, overtime wages are
not payable when the worker is on tour. Total working hours including overtime should not exceed
60 in a week and total overtime hours in a quarter should not exceed 50. Register of overtime
should be maintained. - - An employee working outside the factory premises like field workers
etc. on tour outside headquarters are not entitled to overtime. – R Ananthan v. Avery India
1972(42) FJR 304 (Mad HC) * Director of Stores v. P S Dube 1978 Lab IC 390 = 52 FJR 299 =
1978 I LLN 464 = 36 FLR 420.
Employment of Women - A woman worker cannot be employed beyond the hours 6 a.m. to 7.00
pm. State Government can grant exemption to any factory or group or class of factories, but no
woman can be permitted to work during 10 PM to 5 AM. Shift change can be only after weekly or
other holiday and not in between. [Section 66].
Night Shift for women:
Factories Act is proposed to be amended to allow night shift for women workers. The
Government has decided to amend Section 66 of the Factories Act, 1948 to allow employment of
women workers between 7.00 pm and 6.00 am. The demand of women’s organisations and in
tune with the present economic globalization, the Government has decided to bring in then
required changes in the Act. This flexibility would be available to all manufacturing units including

15. the apparel sector. This decision has been taken after meetings with the representatives of the
employers and the trade unions. The proposed Bill will empower the State Governments for
allowing the necessary flexibility in employment of women during night shift in factories.
The proposed amendment would inter-alia provide that the employer has to ensure occupational
safety and adequate protection to the women workers. However, the State Government or any
person authorised by it would be allowing employment of women during night only after
consulting the workers or their representative organisations and concerned employers or their
representatives. The State Governments are also empowered to frame their own rules for
allowing such permissions.
Record of Workmen - A register (muster roll) of all workers should be maintained. No worker
should be permitted to work unless his name is in the register. Record of overtime is also required
to be maintained. [Section 62].
Leave - A worker is entitled in every calendar year annual leave with wages at the rate of one day
for every 20 days of work performed in the previous calendar year, provided that he had worked
for 240 days or more in the previous calendar year. Child worker is entitled to one day per every
15 days. While calculating 240 days, earned leave, maternity leave upto 12 weeks and lay off
days will be considered, but leave shall not be earned on those days. [Section 79]. – Leave can
be accumulated upto 30 days in case of adult and 40 days in case of child. Leave admissible is
exclusive of holidays occurring during or at either end of the leave period. Wage for period must
be paid before leave begins, if leave is for 4 or more days. [Section 81]. Leave cannot be taken
for more than three times in a year. Application for leave should not normally be refused. [These
are minimum benefits. Employer can, of course, give additional or higher benefits].
Wages for OT and Leave Salary - 'Wages' for leave encashment and overtime will include
dearness allowance and cash equivalent of any benefit. However, it will not include bonus or
overtime.
Child Employment - Child below age of 14 cannot be employed. [Section 67]. Child above 14
but below 15 years of age can be employed only for 4.5 hours per day or during the night.
[Section 71]. He should be certified fit by a certifying surgeon. [Section 68]. He cannot be
employed during night between 10 pm to 6 am. [Section 71]. A person over 15 but below 18
years of age is termed as ‘adolescent’. He can be employed as an adult if he has a certificate of
fitness for a full day's work from certifying surgeon. An adolescent is not permitted to work
between 7 pm and 6 am. [Section 70]. There are more restrictions on employment of female
adolescent. - - Register of child workers should be maintained. [Section 73].

16. Display on Notice Board - A notice containing abstract of the Factories Act and the rules made
thereunder, in English and local language should be displayed. Name and address of Factories
Inspector and the certifying surgeon should also be displayed on notice board. [Section 108(1)].
Notice of Accidents, Diseases Etc. - Notice of any accident causing disablement of more than
48 hours, dangerous occurrences and any worker contacting occupational disease should be
informed to Factories Inspector. [Section 88]. Notice of dangerous occurrences and specified
diseases should be given. [Sections 88A and 89].
Obligation regarding Hazardous Processes / Substances - Information about hazardous
substances / processes should be given. Workers and general public in vicinity should be
informed about dangers and health hazards. Safety measures and emergency plan should be
ready. Safety Committee should be appointed.
List of Industries Involving Hazardous Processes
THE FIRST SCHEDULE
[See Section 2(cb)]
1. Ferrous metallurgical Industries
- Integrated Iron and Steel
- Ferro-alloys
- Special Steels
2. Non-ferrous metallurgical Industries
- Primary Metallurgical Industries, namely, zinc, lead, copper manganese and aluminium
3. Foundries (ferrous and non-ferrous)
- Castings and forgings including cleaning or smoothing/roughening by sand and shot blasting.
4. Coal (including coke) industries. - Coal, Lignite, Coke, etc.
- Fuel Gases (including Coal gas, Producer gas, Water gas)

17. 5. Power Generating Industries
6. Pulp and paper (including paper products) industries
7. Fertiliser Industries
- Nitrogenous
- Phosphatic
- Mixed
8. Cement Industries
- Portland Cement (including slag cement, puzzolona cement and their products)
9. Petroleum Industries
- Oil Refining
- Lubricating Oils and Greases
10. Petro-chemical Industries
11. Drugs and Pharmaceutical Industries
- Narcotics, Drugs and Pharmaceuticals
12. Fermentation Industries (Distilleries and Breweries)
13. Rubber (Synthetic) Industries
14. Paints and Pigment Industries
15. Leather Tanning Industries
16. Electro-plating Industries
17. Chemical Industries
- Coke Oven by-products and Coaltar Distillation Products

18. - Industrial Gases (nitrogen, oxygen, acetylene, argon, carbon-dioxide, hydrogen, sulphur-
dioxide, nitrous oxide, halogenated hydro-carbon, ozone etc.)
- Industrial Carbon
- Alkalies and Acids
- Chromates and dichromates
- Leads and its compounds
- Electrochemicals (metallic sodium, potassium and magnesium, chlorates, perchlorates and
peroxides)
- Electrothermal produces (artificial abrasive, calcium carbide)
- Nitrogenous compounds (cyanides, cyanamides and other nitrogenous compounds)
- Phosphorous and its compounds
- Halogens and Halogenated compounds (Chlorine, Fluorine, Bromine and Iodine)
- Explosives (including industrial explosives and detonators and fuses)
18. Insecticides, Fungicides, herbicides and other Pesticides Industries
19. Synthetic Resin and Plastics
20. Man-made Fibre (Cellulosic and non-cellulosic) Industry
21. Manufacture and repair of electrical accumulators
22. Glass and Ceramics
23. Grinding or glazing of metals
24. Manufacture, handling and processing of asbestos and its products
25. Extraction of oils and fats from vegetable and animal sources
26. Manufacture, handling and use of benzene and substances containing benzene

19. 27. Manufacturing processes and operations involving carbon disulphide
28. Dyes and Dyestuff including their intermediates
29. Highly flammable liquids and gases.
PERMISSIBLE LEVELS OF CERTAIN CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES IN WORK ENVIRONMENT
THE SECOND SCHEDULE
[See Section 41F]
Sl.
Substance Permissible limits of exposure
No.
Time-Weighted Short-term
average exposure
r e (TWA) (STEL)
concentration limits (15
(TWA) min.)
a A PPm mg/m3 PPm mg/m3
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 Acetaldehyde 100 180 150 270
2 Acetic Acid 10 25 15 37
3 Acetone 750 1780 1000 2375
4 Acrolein 01 0.25 0.3 0.8
5 Acrylonitrile-skin (S.C) 2 4.5 - -
6 Aldrin-skin - 0.25 - -
7 Allyl Chloride 1 3 2 6
8 Ammonia 0.25 18 35 27
9 Aniline-skin 2 10 - -
Anisidine (O.P.isomers)-
10 0.1 0.5 - -
skin
Arsenic & Soluble
11 - 0.2 - -
compounds (as As)
12 Benzene (S.C) 10 30 - -
Beryllium & Compounds
13 - 0.002 - -
(as Be) (S.C)
14 Boron trifluoride C 1 3 - -
15 Bromine 0.1 0.7 0.3 2
16 Butane 800 1900 - -

20. 2-Butanone (Methyle
17 200 590 300 885
ethyle Ketone MEK)
18 N-Butyl acetate 150 710 200 950
19 N-Butyl alcohol-skin-C 50 150 - -
20 Sce/tert, Butyl acetate 200 950 - -
21 Butyl Mercaptan 0.5 1.5 - -
Cadmium-dust and salts
22 - 0.05 - -
(as Cd)
23 Calcium oxide - 2 - -
24 Carbaryl (Sevin) - 5 - -
25 Carbofuran (Furadan) - 0.1 - -
26 Carbon disulphide-skin 10 30 - -
27 Carbon monoxide 50 55 400 440
Carbon tetrachloride-skin
28 5 30 - -
(S.C.)
29 Chlordane-skin - 0.5 - 2
30 Chlorine 1 3 3 9
Chlorobenzene
31 75 350 - -
(monochlorobenzene)
32 Chloroform (S.C.) 10 50 - -
bis-(Chloromethyl) ether
33 0.001 0.005 - -
(H.C.)
Chromic acid and
34 chromates (as Cr) (Water - 0.05 - -
soluble)
35 Chromous Salts (as Cr) - 0.5 - -
36 Copper fume - 0.2 - -
37 Cotton dust, raw - 0.2 - -
38 Cresoal, all isomers-skin 5 22 - -
39 Cyanides (as Cn)-skin - 5 - -
40 Cyanogen 10 20 - -
DDT (Dichlorodiphenyl
41 - 1 - -
Trichloroethane)
42 Demeton-skin 0.01 0.1 - -
43 Diazinon-skin - 0.1 - -
44 Dibutyl Phythalate - 5 - -
45 Dichlorous (DDVP)-skin - 1 - -
46 Dieldrin-skin - 0.25 - -
47 Dinitrobenzene (all 0.15 1 - -

21. isomers)-skin
48 Dinitrotoluene-skin - 1.5 - -
49 Diphenyl (Biphenyl) 0.2 1.5 - -
Endosulfan (Thiodan)-
50 - 0.1 - -
skin
51 Endrin-skin - 0.1 - -
52 Ethyl acetate 400 1400 - -
53 Ethyl alcohol 1000 1900 - -
54 Ethylamin 10 18 - -
55 Fluorides (as F) - 2.5 - -
56 Fluorine 1 2 2 4
57 Formaldehyde (S.C.) 1.0 1.5 2 3
58 Formic Acid 5 9 - -
59 Gasoline 300 900 500 1500
60 Hydrazine-skin (S.C.) 0.1 0.1 - -
61 Hydrogen Chloride-C 5 7 a a
Hydrogen Cyanide skin-
62 10 10 - -
C
Hydrogen Fluoride (as
63 3 2.5 - -
F)-C
64 Hydrogen Peroxide 1 1.5 - -
65 Hydrogen Sulphide 10 14 15 21
66 Iodine-C 0.1 1 - -
Iron Oxide Fume (F0203)
67 - 5 - -
(as Fe)
68 Isoamyl acetate 100 525 - -
69 Isoamyl alcohol 100 360 125 450
70 Isobutyl alcohol 50 150 - -
Lead, inorg, dusts, dusts
71 - 0.15 - -
and fumes (as Pb)
72 Lindane-skin - 0.5 - -
73 Malathion-skin - 10 - -
Manganese dust and
74 - 5 - -
compounds (as (Mn)-C
Manganese Fume (as
75 - 1 - 3
Mn)
76 Mercury (as Hg)-skin a a a a
a (i) Alkyle compounds - 0.01 - 0.03
a (ii) All forms except - 0.05 - -

22. alkyle vapour
(iii) Aryle and inorganic
a - 0.1 - -
compounds
Methyl alcohol
77 200 260 250 310
(Methanol)-skin
Methyl cellosolve (2-
78 5 16 - -
methoxyethanol)-skin
79 Methyl isobutyl Ketone 50 205 75 300
80 Methyl Isocyanate-skin 0.02 0.05 - -
81 Naphthalene 10 50 15 75
82 Nickel carbonyl (as Ni) 0.05 0.35 - -
83 Nitric acid 2 5 4 10
84 Nitric Oxide 25 30 - -
85 Nitrobenzene-skin 1 5 - -
86 Nitrogen dioxide 3 6 5 10
87 Oil mist mineral - 5 - 10
88 Ozone 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.6
89 Parathion-skin - 0.1 - -
90 Phenol-skin 5 19 a a
91 Phorate (Thimet)-skin - 0.05 0.2 -
Phosgene (Carbonyl
92 0.1 0.4 - -
Chloride)
93 Phosphine 0.3 0.4 1 1
94 Phosphoric acid - 1 - 3
95 Phosphorus (yellow) - 0.1 - -
Phosphorus penta-
96 0.1 1 - -
chloride
97 Phosphorus trichloride 0.2 1.5 0.5 3
98 Picric acid-skin - 0.1 - 0.3
99 Pyridine 5 15 - -
Silans (silicon
100 5 7 - -
tetrahydride)
101 Sodium hydroxide-C - 2 - -
Styrene, monomer
102 50 215 100 425
(phanylethlene)

23. 103 Sulphur dioxide 2 5 5 10
104 Sulphur hexafluoride 1000 6000 - -
105 Sulphuric acid - 1 - -
Tetraethyl lead (as Pb) -
106 - 0.1 - -
Skin
107 Toluene (Toluol) 100 375 150 560
108 O-Toluidine-skin (S.C.) 2 9 - -
109 Tributylphosohate 0.2 2.5 - -
110 Trichloroethylene 50 270 200 1080
111 Uranium natural (as U) - 0.2 - 0.6
112 Vinyl Chloride (H.C.) 5 10 - -
113 Welding fumes - 5 - -
114 Xylene (O-m-P-isomers) 100 435 150 655
115 Zinc oxide d a a a
f (i) Fume - 5.0 - 10
d (ii) Dust (Total dust) - 10.00 - -
Zirconium compounds
116 - 5 - 10
(as Zr)
THE THIRD SCHEDULE
[See Sections 89 and 90]
LIST OF NOTIFIABLE DISEASES
1. Lead poisoning, including poisoning by any preparation or compound of lead or their sequelae.
2. Lead tetra-ethyl poisoning
3. Phosphorus poisoning or its sequelae.
4. Mercury poisoning or its sequelae.
5. Manganese poisoning or its sequelae.
6. Arsenic poisoning or its sequelae.

24. 7. Poisoning by nitrous fumes.
8. Carbon disulphide poisoning.
9. Benzene poisoning, including poisoning by any of its homologues, their nitro or amido
derivatives or its sequelae.
10. Chrome ulceration or its sequelae.
11. Anthrax.
12. Silicosis.
13. Poisoning by halogens or halogen derivatives of the hydrocarbons of the aliphatic series.
14. Pathological manifestations due to
(a) radium or other radio-active substances.
(b) X-rays.
15. Primary epitheliomatous cancer of skin.
16. Toxic anaemia.
17. Toxic jaundice due to poisonous substances.
18. Oil acne or dermatitis due to mineral oils and compounds containing mineral oil base.
19. Byssionosis.
20. Asbestosis.
21. Occupational or contract dermatitis caused by direct contract with chemicals and paints.
These are of two types, that is primary irritants and allergic sensitizers.
22. Noise induced hearing loss (exposure to high noise levels).
23. Beriyllium poisoning.
24. Carbon monoxide

25. 25. Coal miners' pnoumoconiosis.
26. Phosgene poisoning.
27. Occupational cancer.
28. Isocyanates poisoning.
29. Toxic nephirits.
Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986
In India, there are a number of Acts which prohibit the employment of children below 14 years
and 15 years in certain specified employments. However, there is no procedure laid down in any
law for deciding in which employments, occupations or processes the employment of children
should be prohibited. There is also no law to regulate the working conditions of children in most of
the employments where they are not banned from working and are working under extremely
shady and questionable conditions.
Objectives of Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986
(i) Ban the employment of children, i.e. those who have not completed their fourteenth
year, in specified occupations and processes;
(ii) Lay down a procedure to decide modifications to the Schedule of banned
occupations or processes;
(iii) Regulate the conditions of work of children in employments where they are not
prohibited from working;
(iv) Lay down enhanced penalties for employment of children in violation of the
provisions of this Act, and other Acts which forbid the employment of children;
(v) To obtain uniformity in the definition of 'child' in the related laws.
Scheme of the Act The Act consists of 26 Sections and 1 Schedule with 2 Parts.
1. Part A consists of list of occupations where child labour is banned.
2. Part B consists of list of processes where child labour is banned.
Important Provisions of the Act

26. Who is a child? According to the definition given u/s 2(ii) of the Act, a child means a person who
has not completed his fourteenth year of age.
Where is the child labour prohibited to work? No child is permitted to work in any the
occupations set forth in Part A of the Schedule or any workshop wherein any of the processes set
forth in Part B of the Schedule is carried on. (Section 3)
Exemption: The above prohibition does not apply to any workshop wherein any process is
carried on by the occupier with the aid of his family or to any school established by, or receiving
assistance or recognition from, Government.
Where child labour is permitted? Except the prohibitory occupations set forth in Part A or
processes set forth in Part B of the Schedule, child labour is permitted to be employed but the
conditions of their work is required to be regulated in accordance with Part III of the Act.
Responsibilities of employers towards child labour: Please refer to the note regarding the
responsibilities of the employer for the proper implementation of the Act and the Rules.
Penalties: For the contravention of Section 3 a person is punishable with not less than three
months imprisonment which may extend to one year or with fine not less than Rs.10,000/- rupees
which may be extended up to Rs. 20,000/- or with both. For other offence, the punishment may
be simple imprisonment up to one month or with fine up to Rs. 10,000/- of both. A conviction u/s
67 of the Factories Act, 1948 or u/s 21 of the Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961 will attract the
penalties under the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986.
Salient Features of Legislative Provisions Prohibiting and Regulating Employment of
Children
1. As per the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986 “child” means a person who
has not completed is 14th year of age.
2. The Act prohibits employment of children in 13 occupations and 57 processes contained
in Part A & B of the Schedule to the Act (Section 3).
3. Under the Act, a Technical Advisory Committee is constituted to advice for inclusion of
further occupations & processes in the Schedule.
4. The Act regulates the condition of employment in all occupations and processes not
prohibited under the Act (Part III).

27. 5. Any person who employs any child in contravention of the provisions of Section 3 of the
Act is liable for punishment with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than
three months but which may extend to one year or with fine which shall not be less than
Rs 10,000 but which may extend to Rs 20,000 or both (Section 14).
6. The Central and the State Governments enforce the provisions of the Act in their
respective spheres.
Employment of children as domestic servants and in dhabas banned from October 2006:
The government has decided to prohibit employment of children as domestic servants or servants
or in dhabas (roadside eateries), restaurants, hotels, motels, teashops, resorts, spas or in other
recreational centres. The ban has been imposed under the Child Labour (Prohibition &
Regulation) Act, 1986 and will be effective from 10th October 2006. The Ministry of Labour has
recently issued a notification to this effect giving three-month mandatory notice. The Ministry has
warned that anyone employing children in these categories would be liable to prosecution and
other panel action under the Act.
It may be recalled that the government servants have already been prohibited from employing
children as domestic servants. By issuing this notification, the Government has imposed these
restrictions on everyone.
The decision has been taken on the recommendation of the Technical Advisory Committee on
Child Labour headed by the Director General, ICMR. The Committee considers the occupations
mentioned in the above notification as hazardous for children and has recommended their
inclusion in the occupations which are prohibited for persons below 14 years under the Child
Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986. The Committee while recommending a ban on
employing children in these occupations had said that these children are subjected to physical
violence, psychological traumas and at times even sexual abuse. It said that invariably such
incidents go unnoticed and unreported as they take place in the close confines of the households
or dhabas or restaurants. It said that these children are made to work for long hours and are
made to undertake various hazardous activities severely affecting their health and psyche. The
Committee has said that the children employed in road-side eateries and highway dhabas were
the most vulnerable lot and were easy prey to sex and drug abuse as they came in contact with
all kinds of people. The measure is expected to go a long way in ameliorating the condition of
hapless working children. The Labour Ministry is also contemplating to strengthen and expand its

28. rehabilitative Scheme of National Child Labour Project, which already covers 250 child labour
endemic districts in the country.
THE SCHEDULE
PART A
OCCUPATIONS
Any occupation connected with - (1) Transport of passengers, goods or mails by railway;
(2) Cinder picking, clearing of an ash pit or building operation in the railway premises;
(3) Work in a catering establishment at a railway station, involving the movement of a vendor or
any other employee of the establishment from one platform to another or into or out of a moving
train;
(4) Work relating to the construction of a railway station or with any other work where such work
is done in close proximity to or between the railway lines;
(5) A port authority within the limits of any port.
(6) Work relating to selling of crackers and fireworks in shops with temporary licences.
(7) Abattoirs/slaughter Houses.
PART B
PROCESSES
(1) Bidi-making.
(2) Carpet-weaving.
(3) Cement manufacture, including bagging of cement.
(4) Cloth printing, dyeing and weaving.
(5) Manufacture of matches, explosives and fire-works.
(6) Mica-cutting and splitting.

29. (7) Shellac manufacture.
(8) Soap manufacture.
(9) Tanning.
(10) Wool-cleaning.
(11) Building and construction industry.
(12) Manufacture of slate pencils (including packing).
(13) Manufacture of products from agate.
(14) Manufacturing processes using toxic metals and substances, such as, lead, mercury,
manganese, chromium, cadmium, benzene, pesticides and asbestos.
(15) "Hazardous processes" as defined in Sec. 2 (cb) and dangerous operations as defined in
rules made under Sec. 87 of the Factories Act, 1948 (63 of 1948).
(16) Printing as defined in Sec. 2(k) (iv) of the Factories Act. 1948 (63 of 1948).
(17) Cashew and cashew nut decaling and processing.
(18) Soldering processes in electronic industries.
Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976
Objective: The object of the Act is to provide for the abolition of bonded labour system with a
view to preventing the economic and physical exploitation of the weaker Sections of the people
and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Scheme of the Act
The Act consists of 27 Sections with some of the important Sections listed below:
2 Definitions
3 Act to Have Overriding Effect
4 Abolition of Bonded Labour System
5 Agreement, Custom, Etc., to be Void
6 Liability to Repay Bonded debt to Stand Extinguished

30. 7 Property of Bonded Labourer to be freed from Mortgage, Etc.
8 Freed Bonded Labourer Not to be Evicted from Homestead, etc.
9 Creditor not to Accept Payment Against Extinguished Debt
10 Authorities Who may be Specified for Implementing the Provisions of this Act
11 Duty of District Magistrate and other officers to ensure credit
12 Duty of District Magistrate and Officers Authorised by Him
13 Vigilance Committee
14 Functions of Vigilance Committee
15 Burden of Proof
16 Punishment for Enforcement of Bonded Labour
17 Punishment for Advancement of Bonded Debt
18 Punishment for Extracting Bonded Labour under the Bonded Labour System
Punishment for Omission or Failure to restore possession of Property to Bonded
19
Labourers
20 Abetment to be an Offence
21 Offences to be Tried by Executive Magistrates
22 Cognizance of Offences
23 Offences by Companies
24 Protection of Action Taken in Good Faith
25 Jurisdiction of Civil Courts Barred
System of Bonded Labour and its forms: It is outcome of customary obligations, forced labour,
beggar or indebtedness under which a debtor agrees to render service. In different parts of the
country, it was known by the different names such as Adiyamar, baramasia, basahya, bethu,
bhagela, cherumar, garru-galu hari, harwai, holya, jana jeetha, kamiya, khundit-mundit, kuthia,
lakhari, munjhi, mat, munish system, nit-majdoor, paleru, paduyal, pannayilal, sagri, sanji,
sanjawat, sewak, sewakia, seri, vetti.
Who is bonded Labour? According to the definition given in Section 2(g) of the Act, bonded
labour means service arising out of loan/debt/advance. It represents the relationship between a
creditor and a debtor wherein the debtor undertakes to mortgage his services or the services of
any of his family members to the creditor for a specified or unspecified period with or without
wages accompanied by denial of choice of alternative avenues of employment, or to deny him
freedom of movements, then the person would normally be covered under the definition of a
bonded labour.

31. Whom to approach in case of bondage? The aggrieved person or any person on his behalf
can approach to the District Magistrate who is chairman of the Vigilance Committee constitute
under the Act and has been entrusted with certain duties and responsibilities for implementing the
provisions of the Act. Matter can also be brought to the notice of the Sub Divisional Magistrate of
the area or any other person who is a member of the Vigilance Committee of District or Sub-
division.
Relief available to the victim: The bonded labour is to be immediately released from the
bondage. His liability to repay bonded debt is deemed to have been extinguished. Freed bonded
labour shall not be evicted from his homesteads or other residential premises which he was
occupying as part of consideration for the bonded labour. A rehabilitation grant of Rs. 120,000/- to
each of the bonded labour is to be granted and assistance for his rehabilitation provided.
Penalties: The offence under the Act is cognizable and bailable any person who is contravenes
provisions of the act is punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years
and also with a fine which may extend to two thousand rupees. W.e.f. 1.5.2000 (Rs. 4000/- from
1978, Rs. 6250/- w.e.f. 1.2.86 & Rs. 10,000/- w.e.f. 1.4.95)
The Employment Exchanges (Compulsory Notification
of Vacancies) Act, 1959
The main purpose of the Act is to provide for the compulsory notification of vacancies to
employment exchanges. The employer is required on a compulsory basis, to notify to the
Employment Exchanges all vacancies other than vacancies in unskilled categories, temporary
vacancies and vacancies proposed to be filled through promotion and tender to the Employment
Exchanges, return relating to the staff strengths at regular intervals.
The Act extends to the whole of India.
Scheme of the Act
There are only 10 Sections in total and some of the important Sections are:
Section 2 Definitions
Section 3 Act not to apply in relation to certain Vacancies
Section 4 Notification of Vacancies to Employment Exchanges

32. Section 5 Employers to furnish information and returns in prescribed form
Section 6 Right of access to records or documents
Section 7 Penalties
Section 8 Cognizance of Offences
Section 9 Protection of Action taken in good faith
Application of the Act:
The Act covers the employers in establishments both in public and private sectors. The Act is
applicable to establishments which are engaged in non-agricultural activities and employing 25 or
more workers. The enforcement of the Act is the responsibility of States and Union Territories.
Most of the States/Union Territories have set up special enforcement machinery for this purpose.
Act not to apply in relation to certain vacancies:
The Act shall apply to the following category of vacancies:
1) In any employment in agriculture (including horticulture) in establishment in private sector
other than employment as agricultural or farm machinery operatives;
2) In any employment in domestic service;
3) In any employment the total duration of which is less than 3 months;
4) In any employment which requires unskilled office work;
5) In any employment related to the staff of Parliament.
In addition, the Act shall not apply to the following vacancies unless the Central Government
otherwise directs through notification in its Official Gazette:
1) Vacancies which are proposed to be filled through promotion
2) Vacancies which are proposed to filled through absorption of surplus staff of any branch
or department of the same establishment

33. 3) Vacancies which are proposed to be filled through the result of any examination
conducted or interview held by, or on recommendation of, any independent agency such
as Union or State Public Service Commission and the like.
4) Vacancies in an employment which carries a remuneration of less than sixty rupees in a
month. (Section 3).
Notification of vacancies to Employment Exchanges:
Section 4 of the Act provides for notification of vacancies to employment exchange. The employer
in every establishment in public sector is required to notify any vacancy before filling it up, to the
prescribed employment exchanges.
The Section further requires an employer in every establishment tin private sector or every
establishment pertaining to any class or category of establishments in private sector to notify to
the prescribed employment exchanges from such date as may be specified in the notification
issued by the appropriate Government in the Official Gazette.
Section 4(3) provides that the manner of notification of vacancies and the particulars of
employments having such vacancies should be such as may be prescribed.
Section 4(4) says that the employer’s obligation is only to notify the vacancy to the employment
exchange. The Act does not impose any obligation on an employer to recruit any person through
employment exchange to fill the vacancy merely because the vacancy has been notified as
required by this Act.
Employment Exchanges to which vacancies are to be notified:
Rule 3 of The Employment Exchanges (Compulsory Notification of Vacancies) Rules, 1960, says
that the vacancies are to be notified either to the Central Employment Exchange or Local
Employment Exchange, as the case may be.
The Central Employment Exchange means the Employment Exchange established by the
Government of India, Ministry of Labour and Employment and to which the following vacancies
shall be notified:
 Vacancies in posts of a technical and scientific nature carrying a basic pay of Rs. 1,400
or more per month occurring in establishments in respect of which the Central
Government is the appropriate Government under the Acct; and

34.  Vacancies which an employer may desire to be circulated to the employment exchanges
outside the State or Union Territory to which the establishment is situated.
The Local Employment Exchange means the employment exchange (the Central Employment
Exchange) notified in the Official Gazette by the State Government or the Administration or Union
Territory as having jurisdiction over the area in which the establishment concerned is situated or
over specified classes or categories of establishments of vacancies.
Vacancies of all types other than those which are required to be notified to Central Employment
Exchange, shall be notified to these local employment exchanges.
Furnishing of Information or Returns:
Section 5 requires an employer in every establishment in public sector to furnish, such
information or return as may be prescribed in relation to vacancies that have occurred or are
about to occur in the establishment to such employment exchanges as may be prescribed. In the
case of private sector or every establishment pertaining to any class or category of
establishments in private sector, the appropriate Government, by notification in the Official
Gazette, may require that from such date as may be prescribed in relation to vacancies that have
occurred or are about to occur in that establishment to such employment exchanges as may be
prescribed and the employer shall thereupon, comply with such requisition.
The above return shall be furnished to the Director or other authorized officer of the Directorate
administering employment exchanges in a State or Union Territory.
Right of Access to Records or Documents:
Such officer of the Government as may be prescribed in this behalf, or nay person authorized by
him in writing, shall have access to any relevant record or document in the possession of any
employer required to furnish any information or returns under Section 5 of this Act. Such officer is
also empowered to enter at any reasonable time, any premises where he believes that such
record or document to be and inspect and take copies of relevant records or documents or ask
any question necessary for obtaining information required under that Section (Section 6).
Penalties (Section 7)
(1) If any employer fails to notify to the employment exchanges prescribed for the purpose any
vacancy in contravention of sub-Section (1) or sub-Section (2) of Section 4, he shall be

35. punishable for the first offence with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees and for every
subsequent offence with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees.
(2) If any person - (a) required to furnish any information or return - (i) refuses or neglects to
furnish such information or return, or
(ii) furnishes or causes to be furnished any information or return which he knows to be false, or
(iii) refuses to answer, or gives a false answer to, any question necessary for obtaining any
information required to be furnished under Section 5; or
(b) impedes the right of access to relevant records or documents or the right of entry conferred by
Section 6, he shall be punishable for the first offence with fine which may extend to two hundred
and fifty rupees and for every subsequent offence with fine which may extend to five hundred
rupees.
Cognizance of Offences - No prosecution for an offence under this Act shall be instituted except
by, or with the sanction of, such officer of Government as may be prescribed in this behalf or any
person authorised by that officer in writing (Section 8).
Protection of action taken in good faith - No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall
lie against any person for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this
Act (Section 9).
Apprentices Act, 1961
The main purpose of the Act is to provide practical training to technically qualified persons in
various trades. The objective is promotion of new skilled manpower. The scheme is also
extended to engineers and diploma holders.
The Act applies to areas and industries as notified by Central government. [Section 1(4)].
Scheme of the Act
There are 38 Sections in total and 1 Schedule. This Schedule is about modifications in the
Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923 w.r.t its application to apprentices under the Apprentices
Act, 1961.
Obligation of Employer –

36.  Every employer is under obligation to provide the apprentice with the training in his trade
in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the rules made there under.
 If the employer is not himself qualified in the trade, he has to ensure that a person who
possesses the prescribed qualification is placed in charge of the training of the
apprentice.
 Every employer has to provide adequate instructional staff, possessing such
qualifications as may be prescribed for imparting practical and theoretical training and
facilities for trade test of apprentices; and
 Every employer is under obligation to take apprentices in prescribed ratio of the skilled
workers in his employment in different trades. [Section 11].
 In every trade, there will be reserved places for scheduled castes and schedules tribes.
[Section 3A]. Ratio of trade apprentices to workers shall be determined by Central
Government.
 Employer can engage more number of apprentices than prescribed minimum. [Section
8(1)].
 The employer has to make arrangements for practical training of apprentice [Section
9(1)].
 Employer will pay stipends to apprentices at prescribed rates. If the employees are less
than 250, 50% of cost is shared by Government. If employer is employing more than 250
workers, he has to bear full cost of training.
Obligations of Apprentices:
Every trade apprentice undergoing apprenticeship training shall have the following obligations,
namely:
 To learn his trade conscientiously and diligently and endeavour to qualify himself as a
skilled craftsman before the expiry of the period of training;
 To attend practical and instructional classes regularly;
 To carry out all lawful orders of his employer and superiors in the establishments; and
 To carry out his obligations under the contract of apprenticeship.

37. In case of graduate or technician apprentice or technician (vocational) apprentice, apart from the
aforestated obligations, the Act imposes further obligation to learn his subject in Engineering or
Technology or Vocational Course. (Section 12)
Who can be an Apprentice - Apprentice should be of minimum age of 14 years and he should
satisfy the standard of education and physical fitness as prescribed. [Section 3].
Reservation of training places for scheduled castes:
Section 3A provides that in every designated trade, training places shall be reserved by the
employer for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (as defined in clauses (24) and (25) of
Article 366 of the Constitution) and where there is more than one designated trade in an
establishment, such training places shall be reserved on the basis on the total number of
apprentices in all the designated trades in such establishment. The reservation shall be such as
may be prescribed having regard to the population of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
Tribes in the State concerned.
Duration of Training - Duration of training period and ratio of apprentices to skilled workers for
different trades has been prescribed in Apprenticeship Rules, 1991. Duration of Apprenticeship
may be from 6 months to 4 years depending on the trade, as prescribed in Rules. Period of
training is determined by National Council for training in Vocational Trades (established by
Government of India)-(Section 6).
Contract with Apprentice – Apprentice appointed has to execute a contract of apprenticeship
with employer. The contract has to be registered with Apprenticeship Adviser. If apprentice is
minor, agreement should be signed by his guardian. [Section 4(1)] Apprentice is entitled to casual
leave of 12 days, medical leave of 15 days and extraordinary leave of 10 days in a year.
Date of commencement of apprenticeship training:
The apprenticeship training shall be deemed to have commenced on the date on which the
contract of apprenticeship has been entered into.
Registration:
 The employer shall send the contract to the Apprenticeship adviser for registration within
three months of the date on which it was signed (Rule 6).
 The contract shall be registered by the Apprenticeship Adviser on being satisfied that the
person described as an apprentice in the said contract is qualified under this Act.

38.  Registration of contract of apprenticeship under Section 4(4) is not a necessary
ingredient of definition of apprentice. (Bhaskaran v. KSEB (1986) 1 LLN 869).
Terms and conditions of contract:
The contract may contain such terms and conditions as may be agreed to by the parties to the
contract. In case, the Central Government after consulting the Central Apprenticeship Council
makes any rule varying the terms and conditions of apprenticeship training of any category of
apprentices undergoing such training then the terms and conditions of every contract relating to
that category of apprentices and subsisting immediately before the making of such rule shall be
deemed to have been modified accordingly.
Novation of contract of apprenticeship:
Where an employer is for any reason unable to fulfill his obligations under the contract and with
approval of the Apprenticeship Adviser it is agreed between the employer, the apprentice or his
guardian and any other employer that the apprentice shall be engaged as an apprentice under
the other employer for the unexpired portion of the period of apprenticeship training, the
agreement, on registration with the Apprenticeship Adviser shall be deemed to be the contract of
apprenticeship between the apprentice or his guardian and other employer. Such contract on and
from the date of such registration shall be terminated with the first employer and no obligation
under that contract shall be enforceable (Section 5).
Payment to apprentices:
This is a contractual as well as statutory obligation imposed under Section 13 of the Act that an
employer pays to every apprentice during the period of training such stipend at a rate not less
than the prescribed minimum rate and this rate will be specified in the contract. An employer shall
pay such stipend at such intervals and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.
However, an apprentice shall not be paid on the basis of piece-work nor he shall take part in any
output bonus or other incentive scheme.
Termination of contract:
The contract of apprenticeship training shall terminate on the expiry of the period of
apprenticeship training. Either party can make application for termination of contract to the
Apprenticeship Adviser and thereafter send a copy of the same to the other party, who on being
satisfied that the parties have failed to carry out the terms and conditions of the contract and it is
desirable in the interests of the parties or any of them to terminate the contract, shall register the

39. same. However, the employer shall pay the prescribed amount of compensation to the apprentice
where the contract is terminated for failure on the part of the employer to honour the contract.
Where the contract is terminated for failure on the part of the apprentice, he or his guardian shall
refund the cost of the training to the employer. (Section 7)
Legal Position of Apprentices - An apprentice is not a workman during apprentice training.
[Section 18] Provisions of labour law like Bonus, PF, ESI.
Act, gratuity, Industrial Disputes Act etc. are not applicable to him. However, provisions of
Factories Act regarding health, safety and welfare will apply to him. Apprentice is also entitled to
get compensation from employer for employment injury. [Section 16].
An employer is under no obligation to employ the apprentice after completion of apprenticeship.
[Section 22(1)]. However, in UP State Road Transport Corpn v. UP Parivahan Nigam Shishukh
Berozgar Sangh AIR 1995 SC 1114 = (1995) 2 SCC 1 , it was held that other things being equal,
a trained apprentice should be given preference over direct recruits. It was also held that he need
not be sponsored by the employment exchange. Age bar may also be relaxed, to the extent of
training period. The concerned institute should maintain a list of persons already trained and in
between trained apprentices, preference should be given to those who are senior. – same view in
UP Rajya Vidyut Parishad v. State of UP 2000 LLR 869 (SC).
Stipend payable- The minimum rate of stipend payable per month is as follows - (a) Engineering
graduates - Rs 1,970 p.m. for post-institutional training (b) Sandwich course students for degree
examination - Rs 1,400 p.m. (c) diploma holders - Rs 1,400 p.m. for post-institutional training (d)
Sandwich course students for degree examination - Rs 1,140 p.m. (e) Vocational certificate
holder - Rs 1,090 p.m. [w.e.f. May 2001]
In case of 4 year training, the stipend is as follows – first year – Rs 820 pm. Second year – Rs
940 pm. Third year – Rs 1,090 pm. Fourth year – Rs 1,230 pm. [From May 2001].
Test and Proficiency certificate - On completion of training, every trade apprentice has to
appear for a test conducted by National Council. If he passes, he gets a certificate of proficiency.
Apprenticeship Adviser - Government is empowered to appoint Apprenticeship Adviser, Dy
Apprenticeship Adviser etc. to supervise the scheme. Various powers have been conferred on
them under the Act.
Disputes under contract and settlement thereof:

40. Section 20 of the Act provides that if out of the terms and conditions of the contract any dispute
arises, it will be referred to Apprenticeship Adviser for decision. An appeal can be preferred by
the aggrieved party within 30 days of the communication of the Adviser’s decision to the
Apprenticeship Council and such appeal shall be heard and determined by the Committee of that
Council appointed for the purpose, and such decision of the Committee shall be final.
Holding of Test and Grant of Certificate and Conclusion of Training (Section 21) - (1) Every
trade apprentice who has completed the period of training shall appear for a test to be conducted
by the National Council to determine his proficiency in the designated trade in which he has
undergone his apprenticeship training.
(2) Every trade apprentice who passes the test referred to in sub-Section (1) shall be granted a
certificate of proficiency in the trade by the National Council.
(3) The progress in apprenticeship training of every graduate or technician apprentice, technician
(vocational) apprentice shall be assessed by the employer from time to time.
(4) Every graduate or technician apprentice or technician (vocational) apprentice, who completes
his apprenticeship training to the satisfaction of the concerned Regional Board, shall be granted a
certificate of proficiency by that Board.
Offer and Acceptance of Employment (Section 22) - (1) It shall not be obligatory on the part of
the employer to offer any employment to any apprentice who has completed the period of his
apprenticeship training in his establishment, nor shall it be obligatory on the part of the apprentice
to accept an employment under the employer.
(2) Notwithstanding anything in sub-Section (1), where there is a condition in a contract of
apprenticeship shall, after the successful completion of the apprenticeship training, serve the
employer, the employer shall, on such completion, be bound to offer suitable employment to the
apprentice, and the apprentice shall be bound to serve the employer in that capacity for such
period and on such remuneration as may be specified in the contract:
Provided that where such period or remuneration is not, in the opinion of the Apprenticeship
Adviser, reasonable, he may revise such period or remuneration so as to make it reasonable, and
the period or remuneration so revised shall be deemed to be the period or remuneration agreed
to between the apprentice and the employer.
Offences And Penalties (Section 30) - (1) If any employer - (a) engages as an apprentice a
person who is not qualified for being so engaged, or

41. (b) fails to carry out the terms and conditions of a contract of apprenticeship, or
(c) contravenes the provisions of this Act relating to the number of apprentices which he is
required to engage under those provisions, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term
which may extend to six months or with fine or with both.
(2) If any employer or any other person - (a) required to furnish any information or return - (i)
refuses or neglects to furnish such information or return, or
(ii) furnishes or causes to be furnished any information or return which is false and which he
either knows or believes to be false or does not believe to be true, or
(iii) refuses to answer, or gives a false answer to any question necessary for obtaining any
information required to be furnished by him, or
(b) refuses or willfully neglects to afford the Central or the State Apprenticeship Adviser or such
other person, not below the rank of an Assistant Apprenticeship Adviser, as may be authorised by
the Central or the State Apprenticeship Adviser in writing in this behalf any reasonable facility for
making any entry, inspection, examination or inquiry authorised by or under this Act, or
(c) requires an apprentice to work overtime without the approval of the Apprenticeship Adviser, or
(d) employs an apprentice on any work which is not connected with his training, or
(e) makes payment to an apprentice on the basis of piecework, or
(f) requires an apprentice to take part in any output bonus or incentive scheme, he shall be
punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine or
with both.
Penalty where no specific penalty is specified (Section 31) - If any employer or any other
person contravenes any provision of this Act for which no punishment is provided in Section 30,
he shall be punishable with fine which shall not be less than one thousand rupees but may extend
to three thousand rupees.
Offences by Companies (Section 32) - (1) If the person committing an offence under this Act is
a company, every person who, at the time the offence was committed was in charge of, and was
responsible to, the company for the conduct of business of the company, as well as the company,

42. shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and
punished accordingly:
Provided that nothing contained in this sub-Section shall render any such person liable to such
punishment provided in this Act if he proves that the offence was committed without his
knowledge or that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-Section (1), where an offence under this Act has
been committed by a company and it is proved that the offence has been committed with the
consent or connivance of, or is attributable to any negligence on the part of, any director,
manager, secretary or other officer of the company, such director, manager, secretary, or other
officer shall also be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded
against and punished accordingly.
Explanation: For the purposes of this Section, - (a) "company" means a body corporate and
includes a firm or other association of individuals; and
(b) "director" in relation to a firm means a partner in the firm.
Cognizance of Offences (Section 33) - No court shall take cognizance of any offence under this
Act or the rules made there under except on a complaint thereof in writing made by the
Apprenticeship Adviser or the officer of the rank of Deputy Apprenticeship Adviser and above
within six months from the date on which the offence is alleged to have been committed.
Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous
Provisions Act, 1952
Objectives
• To make provisions for the future of the industrial worker after he retires or for his
dependents in the case of his early death.
• Compulsory Provident Fund
• Family Pension
• Deposit linked insurance
Scope and coverage
• Application to factories and establishments employing 20 or more persons.
• Can be made applicable by central government to establishments employing less than 20
persons or if the majority of employees agree.
• Excludes establishments employing 50 or more persons or 20 or more persons but less
than 50 persons, until the expiry of three years in the case of the former, and five years in

43. the case of the former, and five years in the case of the latter, from the date of setting up
of establishment.
• Applicable to all persons who are employed directly or indirectly through contractors in
any kind of work.
Eligibility
• Employees drawing pay not exceeding Rs. 6,500/- per month.
Schemes framed under the Act
 The Employees’ Provident Funds Schemes, 1952;
 The Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995 and
 The Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme, 1976
Benefits
• Apart from terminal disbursal of non-refundable withdrawals for Life Insurance Policies
• House building
• Medical treatment
• Marriage
• Higher education
• Family pension
• Retirement-cum-withdrawal benefits
• Deposit linked insurance Amount equal to the average balance in Provident Fund of
deceased subject to a maximum of Rs. 65,000/ -
As per Preamble to the Act, the EPF Act is enacted to provide for the institution of provident
funds, pension fund and deposit lined insurance fund for employees in factories and other
establishments. The Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act is a social
security legislation to provide for provident fund, family pension and insurance to employees.
Employee has to pay contribution towards the fund. Employer also pays equal contribution. The
employee gets a lump sum amount when he retires, which will be useful to him after retirement.
The Act covers three schemes i.e. PF (Provident Fund scheme), FPF (Family Pension Fund
scheme) and EDLI (Employees Deposit Linked Insurance scheme).
The EPF Act contains basic provisions in respect of applicability, eligibility, damages, appeals,
recovery etc. The three schemes formed by Central Government under the Act make provisions
in respect of those schemes.
Applicability of the Act - The Act applies to (a) Every establishment which is a factory engaged
in industry specified in Schedule I to the Act and in which 20 or more persons are employed and
(b) any other establishment or class of establishment employing 20 or more persons which may
be specified by Central government by notification in official gazette. - - Central Government can

44. also apply provisions of the Act to any establishment even if it employs less than 20 persons.
[Section 1(3)].
In RPFC v. T S Hariharan 1971 Lab IC 951 (SC), it was held that temporary workers should not
be counted to decide whether the Act would apply.
Even if the provisions of PF Act are not applicable in a particular establishment, if employer and
majority of employees agree, the Central Provident Fund Commissioner can apply the provisions
to that establishment by issuing a notification in Official Gazette. [Section 1(4)]. Once the
provisions of Act become applicable, it continues to be applicable even if number of employees
fall below 20. [Section 1(5)].
Coverage of Act - The Act has been extended to * Factories * Mines other than coal mines *
Hotels and restaurants * Plantation of tea, coffee, rubber [Tea factories in Assam have been
excluded vide para 1(3)(a) of EPF Scheme] * Trading and commercial establishments engaged in
purchase, sale or storage of goods * Establishments of exporters, importers, advertisers, stock
exchanges * Canteens * Establishments of Attorneys, CA, ICWAs, Engineers and Contractors,
architects and medical practitioners * Hospitals * Travel agencies * Banks doing business only in
one State * General Insurance * Expert services * Clubs and societies rendering services to their
members * Agricultural farms * Financial Establishments other than banks * Building and
construction Industry * Poultry farming * University, college or schools. - - The Act has been
extended w.e.f. 1.4.2001 vide notification dated 22.3.2001, to * courier services * Aircraft or
airlines other than aircraft or airline owned or controlled by Government * Establishment engaged
in rendering cleaning and sweeping services.
Once an establishment is covered under PF, all its departments and branches wherever they are
situated are also covered.
Other Non-Factory Establishments Covered - Besides factories, other establishments
employing 20 or more persons can be covered under the Act u/s 1(3)(b). Various notifications
have been issued extending the provisions of PF Act to non-factory establishments. Some major
among them are - plantation, mines, coffee, hotels and restaurants, cinema and theatres, trading
and commercial establishments, laundry, canteens, establishments of attorneys/CA/
ICWA/engineers/ architects/medical practitioners, hospitals, financial establishments (other than
IFCI, UTI, IDBI, SFC), building and construction industry, poultry, university, college, schools,
scientific institutions etc.
Transitory Provisions when Act is extended - It is possible that when PF Act is extended to
certain establishment, some PF scheme may be already in existence. Such scheme will continue

45. and the balance amount in such scheme to credit of the employee will be transferred to the
Provident Fund under statutory scheme of PF Act. [Section 15].
Establishment to include all departments and branches - Where an establishment consists of
different departments or has branches, whether situate in the same place or in different places, all
such departments or branches shall be treated as parts of the same establishment. [Section 2A].
- - Thus, if factory is covered, the head office and branches will also be covered under the Act.
Act not applicable to certain establishments - As per Section 16(1), the PF Act does not apply
to (a) any establishment registered under Cooperative Societies Act or State law relating to
cooperative societies, employing less than 50 persons and working without paid of power (b) to
any establishment belonging to or under Control of Central Government or a State Government
and whose employees are entitled to benefit of contributory provident fund or old age pension. (c)
to any establishment set up under any Central or State Act and whose employees are entitled to
benefit of contributory provident fund or old age pension..
Where PF Act is not applicable - The PF Act is not applicable to certain establishments—*
Factories or establishments employing less than 20 employees. However, once Act becomes
applicable, it continues to apply even if subsequently, the number is lower than 20 * Banks doing
business in more than one State * Coal mines * Units established under Cooperative Societies
Act employing less than 50 workers and working without aid of power * Other establishments
belonging to or under control of Central Government or State Governments and whose
employees are entitled to benefits of contributory provident fund or pension. * Tea factories in
Assam *
Exemption granted by Central Government by a special notification.
Administration of the Fund - Both employer and employee have to pay contribution at
prescribed rates. These amounts are credited to a fund. The fund vests in and is
administered by Central Board. [Section 5(1A)].
Employees covered under the scheme - As per Section 2(f), “employee” means any person
who is employed for wages in any kind of work, manual or otherwise, in or in connection with the
work of an establishment, and who gets his wages directly or indirectly from the employer. It
includes any person - (i) employed by or through a contractor in or in connection with the work of
the establishment (ii) engaged as an apprentice, not being an apprentice engaged under the
Apprentices Act, 1961 or under the standing orders of the establishment.

46. Thus, (a) Persons employed through contractor in connection with work of establishment are
covered (b) Apprentices employed under Apprentices Act or under standing orders of
establishment are excluded, i.e. they are not employees. [The model standing orders merely state
that an ‘apprentice’ is a learner who is paid an allowance during the period of his training].
Non-Eligible employees under PF - * Employee whose ‘pay’ is more than Rs. 6,500 per month
are not eligible. (It may be noted that limit of pay was Rs 5,000 upto 31.5.2001 and Rs. 3,500
upto 30th Sept., 94) * Apprentices as per certified standing orders or under Apprentices Act *
Casual employees. However, employees employed through contractors have also to be covered
under PF.
Employee to become member of Fund immediately on joining – Every employee employed in
or in connection with work of a factory or establishment to which the Act applies is entitled and
required to become member of Provident Fund, unless he is an excluded employee. [para 26(1)
of EPF Scheme]. An employee who is drawing ‘pay’ above prescribed limit (presently Rs 6,500)
can become member with permission of Assistant PF Commissioner, if he and his employer
agree. [para 26(6) of EPF Scheme].
Contribution by employer and employee - As per Section 2(c) “contribution” means a
contribution payable in respect of a member under a Scheme or the contribution payable in
respect of an employee to whom the Insurance Scheme applies.
As per Section 6, contribution shall be paid by employer @ 10% of basic wages plus dearness
allowance plus retaining allowance. This amount is defined as ‘pay’ as per explanation to para
2(f)(ii) of EPF Scheme. Equal contribution is payable by employee also. This contribution can be
increased to 12% by Central Government and in fact, has been increased to 12% w.e.f
September 22, 1997.
A person who is already a member continues to be a ‘member’ even if his ‘pay’ exceeds Rs
6,500. However, the contribution is limited to Rs 6,500 only. [para 26A(2) of EPF Scheme].
RPFC is liable under Consumer Protection Act - The Regional Provident Fund Commissioner
is providing service under the Act and hence he is liable under Consumer Protection Act. - RPFC
v. Shiv Kumar Joshi (1996) 4 CTJ 805 = 1996 LLR 641 (NCDRC 5 member bench) - confirmed in
RPFC v. Shiv Kumar Joshi 1999 AIR SCW 4456 = 1999(7) SCALE 453 = 2000 LLR 217 = AIR
2000 SC 331 = 99 Comp Cas 347 = (2000) CLA-BL Supp 26 = 24 SCL 46 (SC).
Employees Provident Fund Scheme - This is the main scheme under the Act. Both employer
and employee have to pay contribution to Provident Fund. The employer has to deduct

47. contribution of employee from the salary of employee and has to pay both employees’
contribution as well as employer’s contribution by a challan in prescribed form. The amount has to
be paid in approved bank.
Employee Can Pay Higher Contribution - Employee has to contribute 12/10% of his 'pay' as
contribution. The employee can voluntarily pay higher contribution above the statutory rate.
However, employer does not have to match the voluntary contribution, over and above the
statutory rate. [para 26(2) of EPF Scheme].
Contribution payable under PF Scheme - The Principal Employer is liable to pay contribution of
his own employees as well as employees employed through contractor. Principal Employer can
recover from contractor the amount paid by him on behalf of contractor. The contribution is 12%
of ‘pay’ i.e. basic wages, plus dearness allowance, cash value of food concession and retaining
allowance. Contribution of both employer and employee is same i.e. 12% each. [para 29 of EPF
Scheme].
Employer has to pay his contribution to EPF. He cannot deduct his contribution from wages of the
employee. [Para 31 of EPF Scheme]. However, he has to deduct employee’s share from his
salary and pay the same in EPF scheme. This deduction can be only from the wages pertaining
to period for which contribution is paid. However, if there is accidental omission, the amount can
be recovered later. Amount deducted from salary of employees is held in trust by the employer or
contractor. [Para 32 of EPF Scheme].
Out of employer’s contribution of 12/10%, the Employer’s contribution of 8.33% will be diverted to
Employees’ Pension Scheme. The balance will be retained in the EPF scheme. Thus, on
retirement, the employee will get his full share plus the balance of Employer’s share retained to
his credit in EPF account. [This diversion is only w.e.f. 16th November, 95. Earlier Employer’s
contribution to their credit will continue to remain to their credit].
Lower contribution in certain cases - The employer's and employee’s contribution is 12%
each. This is applicable to many of industries and establishments. However, this contribution is
not applicable to - * any establishment employing less than 20 persons * any establishment
registered with Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR) as a sick company - the
lower rate of contribution continues till its net worth is positive * any other establishment which
has accumulated loss equal to or more than its assets and has also suffered cash loss in last two
years. * Jute industry * Beedi industry * Brick industry * Coir industry other than the spinning
sector * Guar gum factories. In these cases, the contribution is 10%.

48. Interest on account – PF Commissioner shall maintain account of each member of EPF
scheme. [Para 59 of Scheme]. Interest is credited to the account of employee. The Interest is
calculated on monthly running balance basis. Amount standing to credit at end of the month is
considered for calculation of interest for the following month. The interest rate is declared every
year by Central Government in consultation with Central Board of Trustees of Provident Fund.
[Para 60 of EPF Scheme].
EPF for Employees
For New Entrants:
Enrolment:
 An employee is eligible for membership from the day he joins the covered establishment.
 If the employee’s emoluments exceed Rs. 6,500/- per month, he has the option to join the
Scheme(s) with the consent of employer.
 Declare previous employment details, if any, in Form No. 11 to the employer.
 On becoming a member of the Schemes file details in Form No. 2 ( family particulars/
nominations) through the employer.
 Rate of contribution payable by a member shall be @ 12% of his emoluments.
 A member can contribute statutorily over and above the prescribed rate.
For Existing Members:
Enrolment:
 Any change in the family status, such as, -
 Marriage of the member.
 Additions / deletion in the family.
 Legal adoption of the children.
 Change of nominee, is to be filed in Form No. 2 through the employer.